NAME OF SPECIES: oppositifolia Synonyms: Dioscorea batatas Common Name: , Cinnamon vine, Air potato A. CURRENT STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION I. In Wisconsin? 1. YES NO 2. Abundance:

3. Geographic Range: 4. Habitat Invaded: first invades fencerows, edges of mesic forests, streambanks, then moves to more undisturbed areas Disturbed Areas Undisturbed Areas 5. Historical Status and Rate of Spread in Wisconsin: 6. Proportion of potential range occupied: II. Invasive in Similar Climate YES NO Zones Where: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts III. Invasive in Similar Habitat 1. Upland Wetland Dune Prairie Aquatic Types Forest Grassland Bog Fen Swamp Marsh Lake Stream Other: edges and streambanks IV. Habitat Effected 1. Soil types favored (e.g. sand, silt, clay, or combinations thereof, pH): favors silty loam, high Nitrogen content, riparian 2. Conservation significance of threatened habitats: V. Native Habitat 1. List countries and native habitat types: China, , Sri Lanka VI. Legal Classification 1. Listed by government entities? No, but listed by Southeast Exotic Pest Council as invasive in Tennessee 2. Illegal to sell? YES NO Notes: B. ESTABLISHMENT POTENTIAL AND LIFE HISTORY TRAITS I. Life History 1. Type of plant: Annual Biennial Monocarpic Perennial Herbaceous Perennial Vine Shrub Tree 2. Time to Maturity: can reproduce during first growing season 3. Length of Seed Viability: less than a year unless protected i.e. by leaf litter. 4. Methods of Spread: Asexual Sexual Please note abundance of propagules and and other important information: Not documented to reproduce sexually in N. America but can; spreads “rapidly” via bulbils (aerial tubers) 5. Hybridization potential:

II. Climate 1. Climate restrictions: ranges from vermont to florida in US

2. Effects of potential climate change: III. Dispersal Potential 1.Pathways - Please check all that apply: Intentional: Ornamental Forage/Erosion control Other:

Unintentional: Bird Animal Vehicles/Human Wind Water Other: Rodents carry bulbils to infect new areas

2. Distinguishing characteristics that aid in its survival and/or inhibit its control: Tubers can grow to 1m deep and are difficult to remove. IV. Ability to go Undetected HIGH MEDIUM LOW C. DAMAGE POTENTIAL I. Competitive Ability 1. Presence of Natural Enemies: none 2. Presence of Competitors: none found (out competes natives) 3. Rate of Spread: HIGH(1-3 yrs) MEDIUM (4-6 yrs) LOW (7-10 yrs) Notes: Spread can be high in riparian corridors and steep slopes. Dispersed primarily by gravity and hydrochory so range of dispersal can depend on energy flow and flood disturbance.

II. Environmental Effects 1. Alteration of ecosystem/community composition? YES NO Notes: covers tops of shrubs and small trees completely shading understory killing other , animals not seen using sp. as habitat 2. Alteration of ecosystem/community structure? YES NO Notes: removes light from understory and shades out plants 3. Alteration of ecosystem/community functions and processes? YES NO Notes: 4. Allelopathic properties? YES NO Notes:

D. SOCIO-ECONOMIC Effects I. Positive aspects of the species Notes: sold as ornamental species, tuber edible (though not to the economy/society: generally eaten in N. America) II. Potential socio-economic Notes: Potentially harm ornamental trade as species could no effects of restricting use: longer be sold III. Direct and indirect effects : Notes: IV. Increased cost to a sector: Notes: V. Effects on human health: Notes: edible and has medicinal uses E. CONTROL AND PREVENTION I. Detection Capability: Notes: easy to detect when established II. Costs of Prevention (including Notes: education; please be as specific as possible): III. Responsiveness to prevention Notes: can be removed if caught early, moderate success if plants efforts: are already established IV. Effective Control tactics: Mechanical Biological Chemical Times and uses: in small patches tubers can be manually excavated; in larger patches vines can be repeatedly cut (must be repeated for a few years); herbicide can be applied but must be reapplied, best results when herbicide applied before bulbil production, can also be applied in dormant season to reduce risk to non-target species. V. Minimum Effort: Notes: VI. Costs of Control: Notes: VII. Cost of prevention or control Notes: effort in removing small patches much much less than that vs. Cost of allowing invasion to of patches that are allowed to develop occur: VIII. Non-Target Effects of Notes: Herbicides will kill native species as well Control: IX. Efficacy of monitoring: Notes: X. Legal and landowner issues: Notes:

F. REFERENCES USED: UW Herbarium WI DNR TNC Native Plant Conservation Alliance IPANE USDA Plants Other invasive.org

Author(s), Draft number, and date completed: Mary Meier

Reviewer(s) and date reviewed: Jody Shimp, 7-13-07

Approved and Completed Date: Thomas Boos, 09-06-07